CHULA VISTA, Calif. (March 24, 2004) -- The City of Chula Vista, California will inaugurate a brand-new Police Department headquarters next month that will use solar energy to supply a significant percentage of its electricity. A 38.6 kilowatt (kW) solar electric system - large enough to power approximately 10 typical area homes - has been installed on the building's roof. This solar array uses 244 Kyocera KC158G photovoltaic (PV) modules to save taxpayer money by reducing the department's reliance on utility power. The system was designed and installed by Independent Energy Solutions (IES), a Kyocera-authorized dealer that has been providing PV systems in San Diego County since 1998.

The system was engineered by ILA + Zammit Engineering Group, an award-winning San Diego-based electrical engineering firm that has been incorporating solar technologies into its architectural designs since 2000. "Chula Vista is a very progressive city requiring sustainable design practices for their projects," said Keith Thompson, Principal. "This is the type of client that ILA + Zammit enjoys working with in accomplishing cost-effective, environmentally sound solutions for new projects."

The Chula Vista Police Department building will be a renewable energy showcase both for the City of Chula Vista and for San Diego County, which are striving to increase the use of renewable energy by encouraging the installation of PV systems.

Kyocera Solar, Inc. is a world-leading supplier of environmentally sound, solar electric energy solutions, with headquarters in Scottsdale, AZ and sales affiliates in the Americas and Australia. The company is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Kyocera International Inc. of San Diego, the North American headquarters and holding company for Kyoto, Japan-based Kyocera Corporation.

Independent Energy Solutions, Inc. (IES) is a full-service photovoltaic systems engineering and integration firm serving customers worldwide. IES is dedicated to delivering reliable, cost effective photovoltaic power systems that are technically superior. IES has over 20 years of experience in photovoltaics, including rural development, residential, commercial, telecommunications, lighting and utility scale PV power systems. IES is located in San Marcos, California.